Mr. Darcy's Scandal by Cynthia Porter

Author:Cynthia Porter [Porter, Cynthia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Publisher
Published: 2016-08-13T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

He turned when he heard her step behind him and was momentarily taken aback by the costume she had chosen to wear. It was almost Puritan in its simplicity: a plain wool skirt of a color like dark tobacco with a cream cotton blouse, over which was a white starched apron. On her lovely head she wore a mob cap, though it was not big enough to hide the gleaming coils of her dark hair.

Far from making her look common, the costume served to enhance her natural poise; she did not need expensive clothes to display her beauty. It was there, in the lines of her face, the soft curves of her body and the light in her eyes. He wore no hat, so he could not sweep it off, but he touched his forelock in the manner of a yokel and grinned. "At your service."

Notwithstanding the trepidation she was feeling, she smiled. In spite of the fustian coat and the thick breeches and leggings, he made a very poor peasant, being upright and proud and having clean well-manicured fingernails and hair professionally trimmed. But she was reminded of Georgiana’s tale of seeing him going out dressed like a laborer. If the idea was to deceive, she doubted he had been very successful. "Sir, you flatter me," she said, adopting the simpering manner of a serving girl.

"No." He was serious now. "No flattery was intended. But I am told you are unwell and would go home."

"It is nothing but a slight headache, but the party is very noisy and I have had enough of it."

"My carriage is at the gate, I did not send it away. Will you do me the inestimable honor of allowing me to conduct you home?"

How formal he had suddenly become. And there was about him a kind of intensity which was almost frightening. But she could never be afraid of him; she knew him too well, loved him too well. Angry, yes, disappointed, yes, but never fearful, except perhaps on Georgiana’s behalf. "Thank you."

She hardly dare glance behind her as the footman by the door opened it for them and Darcy escorted her out, but she hoped Henry was watching and would give them ample time to leave before emerging. The hired carriage stood a little way off; its driver, muffled in a caped overcoat for all it was a warm night, sat on the box waiting patiently for his fare to emerge. She pretended not to notice it.

Darcy handed her up, and once she had settled, climbed up beside her, bidding his coachman take them to the Gardiners. "The lady has the headache and we must convey her smoothly,” he told him.

Though time in his company was exquisite torture, she knew that the longer they took, the longer Henry would have to see Georgiana safe home, and so she smiled a little wanly and sat back in the corner of the carriage and exhibited every appearance of someone in the throes of a dreadful headache.

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